The Gift of Living Slow

Out here in the country where we live, wildlife is just part of the daily rhythm of life. This morning, as I stood at the big picture window in our living room, I watched three brown turkeys strolling through the front yard like they had a reservation at an all-you-can-eat buffet. They pecked and wandered without a care in the world. It made me smile.

On any given day, we might glance outside and see deer moving quietly along the tree line, squirrels darting from branch to branch, or a groundhog waddling across the yard. We’ve had opossums, raccoons, skunks… and one time, even a black bear casually meandering across the front lawn as if he had somewhere important to be.

There’s something sacred about living on family land, surrounded by woods and trails just steps from our back door. A small creek runs through our backyard, and when I walk those paths, I never quite know what I’ll see. But I always know I’ll find stillness.

Some might say we’re at a disadvantage living this far out. We do have to drive a little farther to get groceries or supplies. Convenience isn’t exactly right around the corner. But peace is.

And I’ve learned something out here. What looks like inconvenience from the outside can actually be an invitation. Invitation to slow down. Invitation to notice. Invitation to listen.

In the quiet, I’m reminded that life doesn’t have to be rushed to be meaningful. Growth doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes the most beautiful things happen slowly like a deer stepping gently through the woods, or a creek carving its steady path over time.

In a world that constantly urges us to hurry, maybe the real blessing is choosing a pace that allows us to see what God is already doing right in front of us. And for me, so often, it starts at that picture window.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

March 1, 2026 Morning Brew

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